By Liz Beavers
lbeavers@newstribune.info
managing editor
PIEDMONT — The Town of Piedmont has a new council member, but has lost another police officer.
Saying the Piedmont city officials “threw a couple of names around,” Mayor Ebbie Gilmore Wednesday appointed Jason Shears to fill the vacancy on the council created by the resignation of Susie Clark.
“He approached me and said he would be interested,” Gilmore said. “He seems to be really wanting to be on the council.”
At the same meeting, Gilmore announced that the town's second part-time police officer, Eric Veach, had also resigned.
Piedmont has had two part-time officers, in addition to Chief Chris Paitsel, but
Paitsel announced Oct. 14 that Keith Anderson had resigned, feeling “the strain” of two part-time officers and a part-time chief attempting to provide coverage for an entire town.
All three have full-time jobs with other police agencies in the area.
“I don't think the town is getting what they should. We can't give you the 24-hour coverage you want; it just can't be done,” Paitsel said.
“We're just too stretched.”
At that time, the town officials discussed the possibility of working out a deal with the Keyser Police Department, where they would provide coverage in Piedmont similar to the arrangement currently in place between Ridgeley and Carpendale.
Wednesday, Gilmore said he had not yet had a chance to propose the idea to Keyser officials, but he hopes to schedule a meeting soon.
In the meantime, Aaron Leatherman, who once served as an officer in Piedmont, has been hired on a part-time basis to work with Paitsel.
As for the council seat, Gilmore had announced Clark's resignation at their Oct. 14 meeting, noting that the streets commissioner had not given any reason for leaving office.
Clark, who has served on the council since 2002, has chaired the Piedmont Homefest celebration for several years and was also instrumental in raising funds for Piedmont residents suffering from life-threatening illnesses.
Until this past summer, she served as the town's housing commissioner. After Streets Commissioner Bob Fike complained during a meeting about the number of deteriorating properties in the town, however, she voluntarily switched positions with him.
Wednesday, Fike said Shears was “welcome to the council.”
His appointment was approved by motion made by Councilman Mickey Racco and seconded by Fike.
Shears is an employee of L&M Plumbing.
PIEDMONT, W.Va. —
